Magic Really Means It This Time--apparently

Magic Johnson announced his retirement--for good--from the NBA Tuesday.

Johnson said he never, never, never, never is going to play again.

But if Pat Riley calls, or if Michael Jordan calls, and . . .

One never knows with Magic Johnson.

Johnson will be 37 in August, less than four months after returning to the NBA after a four-year absence.

"I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992," said Johnson, who led the Lakers to a 20-12 finish in the regular season and into fourth place in the Western Conference.

But Johnson was suspended the last week of the season for bumping a referee, and then the Houston Rockets knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs in five games.

"I had hoped we would have gone farther in the playoffs," Johnson said in a statement Tuesday. "But now I am ready to give it up. It's time to move on. I was satisfied with my return to the NBA.

"The support generated throughout the league and from fans worldwide was tremendous, and I want to thank everyone. I also want to thank all Lakers fans and the entire Lakers organization, (which) has continually supported me.

"This team has a great future, and I will be excited to sit courtside and root them on to a championship very soon. In announcing this decision now, I wanted to give the Lakers every advantage in planning their future and securing one of the much-talked-about free agents this summer."

With questions about Johnson's return, the Lakers were hamstrung somewhat in their reported effort to attract Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal, because they wouldn't have enough money under the salary cap if they had to pay Johnson.

Johnson, one of the NBA's all-time greats, seemed to realize he wasn't the player he was when he left the NBA in 1991, when he learned he had the HIV virus.

He averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds in the regular season and 15.3 points, 6.5 assists and 8.5 rebounds in the playoffs.

But, by the end of the playoff series, he was chafing at his role as a power forward. After the Lakers' elimination, he said he would return only as a point guard. He also said he wanted a salary commensurate with Michael Jordan or Hakeem Olajuwon.

Johnson also was alienated from young Lakers teammates such as Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones. He rarely socialized with teammates as he had previously. Johnson had said when he returned he most missed the camaraderie of the team.

It obviously was not to be.

Jordan, who has had more success in his comeback, said he understands.

"I was very fortunate to come back to an organization that was still pretty much similar to what I left," said Jordan, who returned from his retirement last year and says he wants to play two or three more seasons.

"He came back to a whole new generation, and I don't think he could make out the generation gap. He and I are used to dealing with a different thing, diving on the floor for loose balls and certain preparations us veterans must go through. He decided to leave.

"That's my speculation. I haven't talked to him."

But Jordan will, which may mean Johnson's career is not really over.

Johnson retired first in 1991 but then played in the 1992 All-Star Game and tried a comeback in 1992. He was forced away amid fears players had about AIDS. He then played with a barnstorming team around the world.

After hinting for several months about playing, he returned to the Lakers Jan. 29.

Johnson's statement said he would attend to business interests and continue his barnstorming career.

But the chance to play for his former coach and good friend Riley in Miami, or his longtime rival and friend Jordan in Chicago, could prove too delicious an opportunity to ignore.